How to Knock Out Dinosaurs in Ark: Survival Evolved: A Comprehensive Guide
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The heart of taming in Ark: Survival Evolved lies in your ability to knock out creatures, rendering them vulnerable for the next crucial step. But how exactly do you achieve this? Knocking out a dinosaur involves inflicting torpor, a state of drowsiness, until it becomes unconscious. This is primarily achieved through the use of specific torpor-inducing weapons or creatures. Different dinos require different amounts of torpor to be knocked out, so careful planning is key. It’s a delicate balance, because if you cause too much damage, you will kill the creature before it becomes unconscious. This guide dives into the methods, tools, and strategies you’ll need to successfully knock out dinosaurs in Ark.
Torpor and You: Understanding the Basics
What is Torpor?
Torpor is the game mechanic that governs how you render a dinosaur unconscious. Instead of directly depleting its hit points (HP), you must fill its torpor bar using the methods mentioned above. Once the torpor bar is full, the creature will fall unconscious. It’s essential to understand that torpor is not instantaneous. It builds up gradually over time after a hit, meaning you might need several shots to down a creature.
Weapons that Inflict Torpor
Several weapons are available, each with different efficacy and risks. Here are some of the most common:
- Tranq Arrows: These are arrows tipped with a tranquilizer, fired from a bow or crossbow. They are a staple for early and mid-game taming due to their cost-effectiveness.
- Tranq Darts: These are more potent than tranq arrows and are fired from a longneck rifle. They are ideal for higher-level creatures and situations where you need a high degree of control and precision.
- Shocking Tranq Darts: A superior version of tranq darts that inflict much more torpor. Ideal for taming very powerful dinos, but they require more resources to craft.
- Pulmonoscorpius: This tamed scorpion has an attack that inflicts significant amounts of torpor, making it great for knocking out smaller to mid-sized dinos.
- Fists: Though it might be tempting to start with your fists, they inflict a low amount of torpor and carry a high risk of accidentally killing the dino. It should be avoided for all but the smallest of dinos.
- Wooden Club: The wooden club is another melee option but puts you in close range and makes it risky. It’s not recommended unless you have no ranged weapon.
How to Knock Out Different Types of Dinos
Large Dinos Like the Rex
Taming a Rex requires a strategic approach, as its high health and damage make it a formidable target. For best results, find a safe vantage point such as a cliff or high rocks where the Rex can’t reach you. From here you should utilize a ranged weapon such as a longneck rifle with shocking tranq darts or a crossbow with tranq arrows.
Once it’s been hit a few times, be prepared to chase it down. Rexes often get stuck on the terrain, so you can close the gap quickly to continue applying torpor. A Rex requires 30-35 tranq arrows for a low level and 70 tranq darts for a level 150.
Smaller and Medium Dinos
For mid-sized dinos like a Triceratops, utilize a ranged weapon with tranq arrows or tranq darts. Aiming for the head does less torpor and damage so make sure to aim for the body. After a few hits, they’ll go down easily. Smaller dinos like Dodos or Dilos are much easier and can be taken down with even fists or a club, but again, there is always a risk of accidentally killing it.
Taming Titans
Taming Titans requires an entirely different strategy. These creatures are only knocked out by direct hits to their heads with cannons, catapults or rockets. Rockets are a risk, as there is a high chance of killing the Titan rather than knocking it out. Cannons are the preferred choice for this purpose as they are very effective at applying torpor to the head.
Best Practices for Knocking Out Dinos
- Choose Your Weapon Wisely: The appropriate weapon depends on the dinosaur’s size, level, and your resources. For larger dinos or difficult tames, the longneck rifle with shocking tranq darts is highly recommended. For early tames or lower levels, tranq arrows with a crossbow will do.
- Aim Carefully: Hitting the target is essential. Missed shots waste valuable resources and could allow the dino to escape or attack you. Aiming for the head causes less damage and torpor, so aim for the body.
- Maintain Safe Distance: Try to keep your distance and stay out of the dino’s melee range. This reduces the risk of you taking damage or being killed.
- Monitor Torpor: Keep an eye on the dino’s torpor level. If it starts to recover, you’ll need to inflict more torpor to keep it unconscious.
- Be Prepared: Have enough tranq ammunition, and if needed, a backup plan. Be prepared to chase your target if it runs away.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the fastest way to knock out a Dino?
The fastest way to knock out a Dino is using shocking tranq darts from a longneck rifle, however, this can be more resource intensive.
Are fire stones effective for knocking out dinos?
Fire stones do not inflict torpor and can kill a dino instead.
What is the best way to tranq dinos in Ark?
The best way to tranq dinos is using a longneck rifle with shocking tranq darts. This method gives maximum torpor.
What is the best weapon for killing Dinos in Ark?
The best weapon for killing dinos is the longneck rifle due to its high damage, range, and easy availability.
How do you knock out a Rex in Ark?
You can knock out a Rex using a longneck rifle with shocking tranq darts from a high vantage point. Chase it down if it runs and keep shooting until it’s knocked out.
What weapons can knock out Dinos in Ark?
Common weapons that can knock out dinos include tranq arrows, tranq darts, shocking tranq darts, Pulmonoscorpius, and, to a much lesser degree, fists or a wooden club.
What is the most overpowered animal in Ark?
The most overpowered animal in Ark is the Rex, due to its high HP and high melee attack.
What is the most used Dino in Ark?
One of the most used dino is the Rex. Other notable mentions are the Griffin, Giganotosaurus, Gacha, Brontosaurus, Troodon, Snow Owl, and Argentavis.
Are tranq arrows good in Ark?
Tranq arrows are good for early and mid-game taming due to their cost effectiveness but are less effective than tranq darts.
How many tranqs to knock out a Rex?
A low-level Rex typically takes about 30-35 tranq arrows. A level 150 Rex will take around 70 tranq darts.
What’s the fastest Dino in Ark?
The fastest dino in Ark is the DodoRex. The Gallimimus is another extremely fast dino.
What is the hardest creature in Ark?
The hardest creature in Ark is the King Titan.
What is the best first dino to tame in Ark?
The best first dinos to tame are Dodos and Dilos due to their ease of taming and spawn rates.
What dinos can you not be knocked off of?
Large dinos cannot be knocked off by things like Microraptors, Kapros, Purlovia, or Raptors.
How many tranq arrows does it take to knock out a Triceratops?
It takes about 12-28 tranq arrows, depending on the level of the triceratops.
By mastering these techniques, understanding the mechanics of torpor, and selecting the right weapons for the job, you’ll be well on your way to knocking out even the most formidable dinosaurs in Ark: Survival Evolved. Remember to practice, be patient, and always prioritize your safety during taming adventures. Good luck!